Andrew Coppin

Co-Founder, CEO of Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions

Bio coming soon. 

Dr. Ryan Longman

Dr. Ryan Longman is a Climate Scientist with the Sea Grant College Program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He serves as Director of the Hawai'i Climate Data Portal (HCDP) and co-lead of the Pacific Drought Knowledge Exchange (PDKE). Working alongside a team of researchers at UH, Dr. Longman is dedicated to improving the availability and accessibility of climate data for communities across Hawai'i and the broader Pacific region. Over the past five years, he has partnered closely with the ranching community, developing decision-support tools and tailored knowledge products to support sustainable land management. 

Cheramie Viator

Cheramie Viator works for Westway Feed Products as their National Marketing Manager. She is based in Tomball, TX. 

At Lazy 3 Cattle, Cheramie and her mother own multiple breeds and they focus on breeding cattle that work in both the show ring and pasture. 

Cheramie's passion for helping beef industry enthusiasts ranges from designing genetic programs for large commercial ranchers, to exporting genetics to Australia to one of the leading Brangus operations. In 2020, she hosted the first Not Your Ordinary Cattle Clinic for junior cattle exhibitors. These clinics today offer learning opportunities about showmanship, show cattle management, beef promotion and leadership. Cheramie has also been a guest speaker at the Nation Cattlemen's Brahman, Beefmaster and Angus Convention, Angus LEAD Conference, ANCA, LA Farm Bureau and Women in Ranching events. 

Cheramie grew up in South Louisiana and was an active LA Jr. Angus Member. Eventually she served on the National Jr. Angus and Brings Board of Directors and won national showmanship contests in both breeds. She attended Clarendon Jr. College and graduated from Texas A&M University. 

In the past, Cheramie worked for Camp Cooley Ranch where they sold as many as 1000 bulls annually. She also worked for Silver Spur Ranch. While there she was responsible for genetics, bull development, and registered cattle marketing. 

Cheramie has judged many shows on the local, state, and national level in the U.S. including showmanship at the National Jr. Angus, Herford, and Chaolais Show. She has also judged in Mexico and Canada. 

Mike Lambert

Chief Special Investigator, Department of Law Enforcement, Hawaii County Police

Bio coming soon. 

Reed Mahuna

Chief Reed K Mahuna is the 13th Chief of Police of the Hawai'i Police Department, bringing nearly three decades of progressive law-enforcement experience and service to the communities of Hawai'i Island. Appointed Chief of Police in 2026 after serving as Interim Chief beginning in August 2025, Chief Mahuna leads the department in its mission to preserve public peace, prevent crime, protect the rights of people and property, and uphold the laws of the State of Hawai'i and County of Hawai'i. 

A lifelong member of the Hawai'i Island community, Chief Mahuna began his career with the Hawai'i Police Department in 1998. His career reflects broad operational, investigative, and West Hawai'i, including patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, vice, juvenile aid, communications, records, dispatch, radio maintenance, and information technology. 

Before becoming Chief, Mahuna served as Interim Chief, Deputy Chief, Acting Deputy Chief, and Police Major for both Area I Operations Bureau and the Administrative Services Bureau's Technical Services Division. In these roles, he oversaw field, investigative, and administrative operations; commanded the South Hilo, Hāmākua, and Tuna patrol districts; and led criminal investigation functions in both East and West Hawaiʻi. His investigative background includes extensive work on complex and major-crime cases, as well as traffic-fatality and negligent-homicide investigations. 

Chief Mahuna's leadership is grounded in a commitment to professional policing, community trust, accountability, and public safety. He brings firsthand experience from every level of the organization - from academy recruit and patrol officer to detective, commander, and executive leader - giving him a practical understanding of the challenges faced by department personnel and the communities they serve. 

He holds an Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts and an Associate in Science in Administration of Justice from Hawaiʻi Community College, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Lindenwood University. Chief Mahuna graduated from the 100th session of the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police. Chief Mahuna also serves on the State of Hawaiʻi 911 Board, the Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Standards Board, and the Governor's Committee on Crime. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum, National Emergency Number Association, National Tactical Officers Association, International Homicide Investigators Association, and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials. 

Guided by the values that she Hawaiʻiʻs communities, Chief Mahuna approaches leadership with aloha, respect, humility, and a deep sense of kuleana - responsibility - to the people of Hawaiʻi Island. He recognizes that public safety is strengthen throughout meaningful relationships, listening to community voices, and working together in the spirit of mālama, or caring for one another. These values guide his commitment to building trust, supporting department personnel, and serving the community with integrity and compassion. 

Leoma Donsbach

Leoma Donsbach is the founder of Data Genie LLC, where she helps beef producers, breed associations, industry organizations leverage genetics, genomics, and data management to make more informed breeding and management decisions. Her passion lies in translating complex genetic information into practical, easy to implement strategies that improve profitability and accelerate genetic progress. 

A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Leoma has spent nearly two decades working in beef cattle genetics and data management. She began her career with the American Simmental Association, where she worked extensively in DNA services and total herd reporting before joining NEOGEN as a Strategic Account Manager. There, she partnered with numerous breed associations and organizations to develop research initiatives and implement genomic testing programs that strengthened genetic evaluations across the beef industry. 

Today, through Data Genie LLC and collaborations with organizations such as Allied Genetic Resources, Leoma works with seedstock and commercial producers across the country on recognized for making complex topics understandable and helping producers confidently apply genomic technology in everyday ranching operations. 

Leoma and her husband, Kirk, ranch in Roy, Montana, where they raise commercial cattle and retail actively involved in day-to-day challenges and opportunities of the beef industry. Whether speaking at industry events or working directly with producers, her goal is simple: to help cattlemen and women turn data into better decisions. She believes that every operation, regardless of herd size, breed, or production environment can benefit from practical, data driven solutions that make economic sense. 

Senator TIm Richards

Hawaii State Senator Tim Richards is a veterinarian, rancher, and seasoned public servant whose career has been defines by a lifelong commitment to agriculture, animal health, socio-economic issues, and advancing the interests of the people of Hawai'i. A graduate of Washington State University, he has earned a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science, with a minor in Chemistry, in 1981 before receiving his Doctor and the ranching industry, serving former than four decades as a veterinarian with Veterinary Associates, Inc. in Waimea while also leading operations at the historic Kahua Ranch. Senator Richards has served on numerous Boards and Associations, functioning in key leadership roles and working in conjunction with a deep connection to civic engagement. Through these roles, Senator Richards has gained firsthand experience in livestock production, veterinary medicine, land stewardship, rural business management, and agricultural innovation. His vast experience and working knowledge provides him with a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges confronting Hawai'i's agricultural sector and rural communities. 

Following three consecutive terms on the Hawai'i County Council from 2016 to 2022, Senator Richards was elected to the Hawai'i State Senate in 2022, where he currently serves as Assistant Majority Whip, Chair of Hawaiian Affairs Committee (HWN), Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Environment (AEN), Committee, and as a member of the Ways and Means (WAM) Committee, and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs (EIG) Committee. His legislative work is informed be decades of leadership within state and national veterinary, livestock, and agricultural organizations, and a commitment to producing evidence based legislation that provides positive social impacts. He has served functional roles in shaping policy regarding animal health, food security, biosecurity, agricultural commerce, workforce housing and environmental concerns. Combining scientific training with executive leadership in both veterinary practice and ranch management, Senator Richards brings a pragmatic, data-informed perspective to policymaking that emphasizes strengthening Hawai'i's agricultural economy, improving government responsiveness, advancing responsible stewardship of natural resources. Senator Richards supports legislation that promotes the overall health and well-being of children and youth, developing legislation impacting educational and workforce development, and ensuring that public policy reflects both the needs of local communities and the long-term interests of the State. 

Oliver English

W.H. Shipman, HCA Vice President

Bio coming soon.

Arthur keyes

Arthur Keyes was named Acting State Executive Director (SED) of the USDA Farm Service Agency Administration to serve as the SED for Hawaii and Pacific Basin in July 2026. He has been serving as the Alaska SED since June 2025. 

Keyes owns and operates Glacier Valley Farms in Palmer, Alaska, where he grows a variety of speciality crops including onions, zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes. 

Prior to his appointment, Keyes serves as the director of the Division of Agriculture for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources from 2016 through 2019. He developed the "$5 Alaska Grown Challenge" which helps to drive revenue throughout the state to support Alaska's farmers. This initiative has been replicated across the country and won the 2018 North American Agricultural Marketing Excellence award. He has created and operated multiple farmers markets in Alaska by forging partnerships to bring agriculture to local farmers markets. 

As Hawaii and Pacific Basin SED, Keyes has been on the ground providing leadership and assistance helping staff respond to the Kona Low storms, Super Typhoons Sinlaku, and Bali, Kona Earthquake, and agricultural producers in Hawaii, Pacific Basin, and Alaska. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans. 

Dean matsukawa

Deputy to the Chairperson, Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity

With more than three decades of agricultural experience, Deputy Dean Matsukawa brings extensive knowledge of Hawai'i's farming communities and agricultural programs to DAB. A third-generation farmer who operated his family's farm in Waiāhole, Matsukawa joined the Department in 1991 as an Agricultural Loan Division business loan officer. 

He later served as the Division's Administrator, building new loan programs and overseeing agricultural financing, budgets, and long-term planning. 

His experience includes leadership roles as president of the East Oʻahu County Farm Bureau and of the Kona County Farm Bureau. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington and is a graduate of the Agricultural Leadership program (Class VI). 

After retiring in 2022, Matsukawa returned to the Department in January 2025 as Deputy to the Chairperson. His leadership continues to focus on expanding agricultural opportunities, strengthening Department operations, and supporting farmers and ranchers statewide. 

Dr. Catherine Dowling

Dr. Catherine Dowling is a senior veterinarian with the U.S. Beef Technical Services team at Zoetis, where she has provided technical support to optimize beef cattle health and production in the Northwest United States and Hawaii since 2020. A graduated of the Ohio State University, she remains active in the industry organizations and currently calls Montague, CA home with her husband, Everett, and 1-year-old son, Elliot. 

Dr. Clay Burson

Dr. Clay Burson joined Zinpro in the fall of 2024. He serves as a beef cattle technical consultant. Dr. Burson provides technical support for Zinpro's cattle business both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Zinpro, he worked as a cattle consultant for Purina Animal Nutrition in the Southwestern United States. 

Dr. Burson received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition from Texas Tech University His Master's program focused on the use of growth promoting technologies during the finishing phase. Dr. Burson's Doctoral research involved the evaluation of confined cow-calf production systems and calf health. 

Timothy Luton

General Manager, Maui Cattle Company/Kulolio Ranch

John Carroll

Lead Agronomist, Hexas Biomass Inc. 

Martin Smith

Martin Smith works with cattle farmers in Kentucky and across the mainland to develop new forage opportunities. He owns Kentucky Bourbon Beef, a branded program whose farmers finish cattle on bourbon distillers' grains fresh from the still, and he is working to raise Kentucky herd genetics to the brand's Prime standard. He has studied kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) for 18 years and grown it for 14. In 2026, he grew 40 acres of kenaf for cattle silage in Kentucky from seed he produced himself, and he is currently growing a 50-acre seed crop in Arizona. With support from the University of Arizona, he helped secure an Arizona special local need herbicide label for kenaf grown for seed, approved by the Arizona Department of Agriculture in 2026. He has not yet grown kenaf in Hawaii, which is why he is coming to the convention. 

James Twigg-Smith

Director of Agricultural Operations, Kuleana Farms

Bio coming soon.